Inflator assembly
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
- pressure vessel means for defining a sealed chamber, said chamber being filled with inflation fluid that is essentially free of components that would be combustible within said chamber;
means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device;
ignitable means for increasing the temperature and pressure of said inflation fluid within said chamber, said ignitable means including an ignitable material being contained in a canister which, when ignited, produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid;
igniter means for igniting said ignitable material in response to an actuating signal; and
dispersing means for dispersing said combustion products in said inflation fluid within said chamber, said dispersing means moving said canister containing said ignitable material within said chamber when said ignitable material is burning.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag (12) includes a pressure vessel (14), a diffuser (180) and an ignitable material (80). The pressure vessel (14) defines a sealed chamber (18) which is filled with inflation fluid that is not ignitable within the chamber (18). The diffuser (180) directs the inflation fluid from the pressure vessel (14) to the air bag (12). The ignitable material (80) is ignited and emits combustion products in response to an actuating signal. The apparatus (10) further includes a canister (70) for dispersing the combustion products in the inflation fluid within the chamber (18). The canister (70) contains the ignitable material (80) and is moved within the chamber (18) when the ignitable material (80) is burning.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
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pressure vessel means for defining a sealed chamber, said chamber being filled with inflation fluid that is essentially free of components that would be combustible within said chamber; means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device; ignitable means for increasing the temperature and pressure of said inflation fluid within said chamber, said ignitable means including an ignitable material being contained in a canister which, when ignited, produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid; igniter means for igniting said ignitable material in response to an actuating signal; and dispersing means for dispersing said combustion products in said inflation fluid within said chamber, said dispersing means moving said canister containing said ignitable material within said chamber when said ignitable material is burning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
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pressure vessel means for defining a sealed chamber, said chamber being filled with inflation fluid that is essentially free of components that would be combustible within said chamber; means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device; ignitable means for increasing the temperature and pressure of said inflation fluid within said chamber, said ignitable means including an ignitable material which, when ignited, produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid; and igniter means for igniting said ignitable material in response to an actuating signal; said pressure vessel means further defining a canister in which said ignitable material is contained, said pressure vessel means further including means for causing said combustion products to develop a thrust against said canister to propel said canister through said inflation fluid within said chamber when said ignitable material is burning. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification